Fears over end of ntv7 with DidikTV launch

 

The educational channel DidikTV, with content for SPM students, goes on air on Wednesday. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians fear the end of the Media Prima-operated ntv7 television station, with educational network DidikTV set to go on air on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is due to launch DidikTV at 8am on Wednesday. The channel will broadcast educational content tailor-made for the SPM curriculum and co-curriculum from 7am to midnight daily.

The channel, introduced by the education ministry, would be available on channel 107 on MYTV, 147 on Astro and NTV7 on Unifi TV.

The station began as a privately-owned commercial channel in 1995, and was taken over by Media Prima in 2005 joining the company’s other commercial stations.

In November last year, Media Prima said the station would target viewers aged 15 to 28, and DidikTV was introduced, initially for three hours, and in January in two three-hour blocks.

While FMT has asked Media Prima if the move means the end of ntv7 as a broadcaster, Malaysians have started taking to social media to bid their goodbyes to the channel.

Twitter user @RekomenByAsrul said nvt7 will be missed, while @loofranchot thanked the “feel-good channel” (ntv7’s old slogan) for the memories it gave him as a child.

“Before I had Astro, this among the TV channels I often tuned in to watch cartoons, animes and teen series. Thank you ntv7,” said @Petolaaaaaa.

However, some netizens were less sentimental and said good riddance, noting that the channel had started to air uninteresting programmes of late.

There were also some users who demanded Media Prima explain if DidikTV spells the end for ntv7, with Khairul Nizam Rahmat saying he was a little puzzled by this.

“Is ntv7 being replaced with DidikTV? ntv7 is under Media Prima, right? Does this mean Media Prima is handing over the TV station to the education ministry?” he said on Facebook. - FMT